It will come as no surprise that truck accidents are among the most serious. The latest statistics show that they caused almost 5,500 deaths in one recent year. While numbers have been falling, this is still far too many. The size and mass of commercial trucks make collisions especially dangerous.
Even if there are no fatalities in a truck accident, any injuries are often severe. If you or a loved one has been involved in a truck accident, you’ll need support. Expert guidance early on can make a significant difference in protecting your rights and pursuing compensation.
Common Causes of Truck Accidents
Truck accidents happen for several reasons. Like with any vehicle accident. It’s often not straightforward as to why they happen but it usually involves a combination of driver, vehicle, and environmental factors.
- Driver fatigue or distraction: Truck drivers work long hours. Fatigue is a leading cause of truck crashes. Distracted driving also contributes. Not necessarily someone texting but merely adjusting controls can cause a crash.
- Speeding or aggressive driving: Reckless maneuvers and exceeding speed limits can cause a loss of control. Sometimes truck drivers overcompensate–they think they know the roads so well so they take risks.
- Mechanical failures: Brakes, tire blowouts, or other mechanical issues cause accidents. Sometimes these are nobody’s fault (a tire blowout caused by something sharp on the road). Other times, they’re due to improper vehicle maintenance and checks.
- Collisions, including underride collisions: Other vehicles and drivers can be to blame too.
Knowing the cause or contributory factors of an accident means you can establish liability. This is an important part of any personal injury or wrongful death claim.
Steps to Take After a Truck Accident
If you or a loved one has been involved in a truck accident, the right steps can protect your legal rights:
- Ensure safety: In the immediate aftermath, it’s vital to make sure you and others on the scene are safe. Seek medical attention as soon as possible, as even minor injuries can have delayed symptoms.
- Document the scene. Take photos of everything; document vehicles, road conditions and visible injuries and damage.
- Collect witness information: Contact details and statements from witnesses can strengthen your case.
- Report the accident: Notify the police and your insurance company. Avoid giving detailed statements to the trucking company without legal guidance.
Pursuing Compensation
Truck accident cases are often complex. Multiple parties may share liability. The truck driver, the trucking company, vehicle manufacturers, and cargo loaders might have all played a part. An experienced attorney can help you navigate it all. There are specialized firms that can help you too.
For example, using an underride truck accident law firm will mean your underride truck accident litigation will be carried out by a person familiar with the nuances of such scenarios. They’ll be able to identify all liable parties, and they’ll advocate for maximum recovery.
Endnote
Truck accidents are often life-changing events, even for truck drivers at fault. If not physically, then mentally and emotionally. The injuries caused by truck accidents are among the most severe. This makes it even more important to get the right support by professionals. If you or a loved one has been involved in such an accident, you need to protect your right to compensation. Hiring an appropriate party to assist you in getting fair compensation and support is your answer.